Behind on Bills: What to Do and Where to Get Help

9–11 minutesLast reviewed: November 2026

Falling behind on bills can quickly become overwhelming. You might have missed a rent payment, be struggling with Council Tax, have energy arrears or find that credit card and loan repayments are becoming difficult to manage.

When several payments are building up at once, it can be hard to know which ones to deal with first.

The important thing is not to ignore the situation or assume you have to find enough money to clear everything immediately. There are ways to manage arrears, negotiate affordable payments and get advice about the options available.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to access additional financial support, agree a payment arrangement, reduce certain household costs or use a formal debt solution.

This guide explains what to do if you're behind on bills in England, Scotland and Wales, which debts to prioritise and where to find free support.

Already struggling to cover essential expenses? Start by identifying the payments that could put your home, essential services or finances at risk.

1. What should you do if you're behind on bills?

The first step is to understand exactly what you owe and which payments are causing the biggest problems.

It can be tempting to avoid opening letters, answering calls or checking account balances when money is tight. However, ignoring arrears can make the situation more difficult.

Start with these steps:

List all your outstanding bills and debts. Include missed payments, overdue balances, loans, credit cards and household commitments.
Identify priority debts. Work out which payments could have the most serious consequences if left unpaid.
Calculate what you can realistically afford. Account for housing, food, energy, travel and other essential living costs.
Contact the organisations you owe. Explain your circumstances and ask what support or payment arrangements may be available.
Get free debt advice. An adviser can help you understand your options and decide what to tackle first.

Don't feel pressured into agreeing to repayments that you cannot afford. An arrangement needs to fit your actual budget, not simply what a creditor asks you to pay.

2. Which bills and debts should you prioritise?

Not all debts have the same consequences.

Some are commonly described as priority debts because failing to pay them can put your home, essential services or finances at serious risk.

The size of a debt or the amount of interest charged does not necessarily determine how important it is to deal with.

Depending on your circumstances, priority debts can include:

Rent or mortgage arrears: You could lose your home if the situation is not addressed.
Council Tax arrears: Councils can take formal recovery action, which can lead to additional costs and deductions from income.
Gas and electricity arrears: Your energy supplier may take recovery or enforcement action, subject to rules protecting customers.
Court fines: Unpaid fines can lead to further legal enforcement.
Child maintenance: Unpaid maintenance can lead to formal enforcement action.
Income Tax and other HMRC debts: These can be subject to recovery action.
TV Licence arrears: Non-payment can lead to prosecution and fines.
Certain secured loans and hire-purchase agreements: You could lose the home, vehicle or other essential item connected to the agreement.

Other debts, such as credit cards, overdrafts, unsecured personal loans and payday loans, are generally treated as non-priority debts.

This does not mean you should ignore them. Creditors can still take legal action to recover money owed. However, the consequences of not paying them are generally different from the risks associated with losing your home or essential services.

What about water, phone and broadband bills?

Water bills are important household commitments, but their treatment differs from some other priority debts.

In England and Wales, household water supplies cannot be disconnected simply because you have not paid your bill. Water companies can still pursue unpaid amounts through debt recovery and court action. Water bills are generally treated as non-priority debts, but you should still include them in your essential household budget.

In Scotland, household water and sewerage charges are generally collected through the Council Tax bill. Unpaid charges can therefore form part of your Council Tax arrears and the associated recovery process.

Phone and broadband bills may also need special consideration, particularly if you rely on these services for work, healthcare, disability support or accessing essential services.

The best way to decide what to pay first is to consider the consequences and get advice based on your own circumstances.

Useful guidance:

3. What to do if you're behind on rent or mortgage payments

Housing payments should be treated as a priority because falling behind can put your home at risk.

If you have missed a rent or mortgage payment, contact your landlord or lender as soon as possible.

Explain why you're struggling, how much you owe and whether your circumstances have changed.

If you're behind on rent

If you're renting and have fallen behind on payments, contact your landlord or housing provider and explain your situation.

You could ask whether they will consider:

A temporary payment arrangement.
Smaller, more frequent payments.
An agreed plan to clear the arrears.
Additional time while you arrange financial support.

Don't agree to repayments you cannot maintain. An unrealistic arrangement could leave you further behind.

If you receive Universal Credit or another benefit, check whether you qualify for housing support or whether a change in your circumstances needs to be reported.

Could you lose your home because of rent arrears?

Your landlord must follow the applicable legal process to recover possession. The rules differ between England, Scotland and Wales, and between private and social housing tenancies.

In England, the Renters' Rights Act changes took effect on 1 May 2026, changing the rules for private rented tenancies and possession proceedings.

In Scotland and Wales, separate housing laws and procedures apply.

Receiving a notice does not necessarily mean you must leave immediately. Don't ignore notices or court and tribunal paperwork. Get independent housing advice as soon as possible.

Useful guidance:

If you rent from a council or housing association, contact your housing provider's rent team and ask about its arrears process and available tenancy support.

If you're worried about becoming homeless, contact your local council's housing or homelessness team.

If you're behind on your mortgage

If you're struggling to meet mortgage repayments, contact your lender immediately.

Your mortgage lender should consider your individual circumstances and discuss possible ways to manage the arrears.

Depending on your situation, options might include:

Extending your mortgage term.
Temporarily switching to interest-only payments.
Agreeing an alternative repayment arrangement.
Reducing payments for an agreed period.
Discussing how to clear existing arrears.

These options can have financial consequences. For example, extending a mortgage term can increase the overall interest you pay.

Don't assume that missing a payment means you have no options. Ask your lender what support is available and seek independent mortgage or debt advice.

MoneyHelper: Help if you're struggling to pay your mortgage

4. What to do if you're behind on Council Tax

Council Tax arrears can become serious if you don't respond to payment reminders or formal notices.

If you're struggling to pay, contact your local council as early as possible.

You may be able to:

Spread payments over 12 months instead of the usual 10.
Agree a different payment arrangement.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction if you qualify.
Check whether you're entitled to a single-person discount or another reduction.
Request a review if you believe your bill is incorrect.

What happens if you don't pay Council Tax?

The recovery process varies between the UK nations.

England and Wales

Your council may send reminder and final notices before applying to the magistrates' court for a liability order.

A liability order gives the council additional powers to recover what you owe. These can include deductions from wages or certain benefits, and the use of enforcement agents.

Scotland

Councils can apply for a summary warrant to recover Council Tax arrears.

This can result in an additional 10% charge, along with possible sheriff officer fees and further enforcement action.

Don't ignore a Council Tax reminder, liability order or summary warrant. Contact your council or a debt adviser promptly to understand your options.

Official guidance:

5. What to do if you're behind on energy bills

If you're struggling to pay your gas or electricity bills, contact your supplier as soon as possible.

Energy suppliers must consider customers' circumstances and offer appropriate support when they are struggling with payments.

You can ask about:

An affordable payment arrangement.
A review of your existing monthly payments.
A temporary payment break or reduction.
Repayment plans for energy debt.
Supplier hardship funds or grants.
Support if you have a prepayment meter.

Some energy suppliers have charitable funds that can help eligible customers with their energy debt.

What if you cannot afford to top up your prepayment meter?

Contact your supplier rather than simply allowing your credit to run out.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to receive temporary additional credit or other support.

Extra credit usually needs to be repaid, so ask how much will be recovered through future top-ups and whether the repayment arrangement is affordable.

You may also be able to get help through a local council or charitable energy support scheme.

Where to find energy advice

6. What to do if you're behind on credit cards, loans or overdrafts

Credit card balances, personal loans, store cards, payday loans and overdrafts can become difficult to manage, particularly when interest and charges are building up.

If you're missing payments, contact the lender and explain your situation.

Depending on your circumstances, you can ask whether they will consider:

Reduced monthly repayments.
A temporary payment arrangement.
A pause in repayments.
A review of interest and charges.
A longer repayment period.
Other forms of financial difficulty support.

Firms regulated for consumer credit must treat customers in or approaching arrears with forbearance and due consideration. The support available depends on the individual circumstances and agreement.

Before accepting a proposal, check whether it affects your balance, credit file, interest or overall repayment period.

What if debt collectors are contacting you?

If you receive letters, emails or calls from a debt collection agency, don't assume you have to pay the full amount immediately.

First, establish:

Who the original creditor is.
What the debt relates to.
Whether the balance is correct.
Whether any legal proceedings have started.
Whether you can afford the proposed repayment.

A debt collector is not the same as an enforcement agent or bailiff.

In England and Wales, an ordinary debt collector does not have special powers to enter your home or seize possessions simply because they are collecting a debt. Enforcement agents can have additional legal powers when the proper enforcement process applies.

Never ignore court papers, warrants or formal enforcement notices.

StepChange: The difference between bailiffs and debt collectors

7. Work out what you can realistically afford to pay

Before arranging repayments, work out how much money you have available after covering essential living expenses.

A simple budget can help you understand what is affordable.

Start by listing your monthly income:

Employment income.
Self-employment earnings.
Benefits and other support.
Pensions.
Other regular income.

Then list essential expenses:

Rent or mortgage.
Council Tax.
Energy and water.
Food and household essentials.
Transport.
Childcare.
Insurance.
Essential phone and internet costs.
Other necessary commitments.

Once you've accounted for these expenses, you can see whether there is anything left to put towards arrears and other debts.

Don't agree to an unaffordable repayment plan

It can be tempting to agree to whatever a creditor requests simply to stop the calls or letters.

However, a payment plan that leaves you unable to afford food, rent or energy is unlikely to be sustainable.

Explain what you can genuinely afford and ask whether the creditor will consider a realistic arrangement.

If you cannot afford anything towards your non-priority debts after essential expenses, tell a free debt adviser. There may be formal options available.

MoneyHelper: Use the budget planner

8. Could you qualify for Breathing Space or another debt solution?

If you have several debts and cannot see a realistic way to repay them, there may be formal debt solutions that can help.

The options depend on where you live, the amount you owe, your income and your overall financial circumstances.

A free debt adviser can assess your situation and explain which options are suitable.

Breathing Space in England and Wales

The Debt Respite Scheme, commonly known as Breathing Space, gives eligible people temporary protection from creditors while they receive debt advice and work out a repayment plan.

A standard Breathing Space period can last up to 60 days.

During this period, qualifying creditors generally cannot:

Take enforcement action on included debts.
Contact you to request payment of those debts.
Add interest, fees or charges to the debts covered by the scheme.

A separate mental health crisis Breathing Space is available for eligible people receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment. It lasts for the duration of the treatment plus a further 30 days.

Breathing Space does not write off your debts or remove the need to pay them. You must continue paying ongoing bills and meeting certain financial obligations while the protection is in place.

You cannot apply directly yourself. An authorised debt adviser must assess whether the scheme is suitable and apply on your behalf.

Find out about Breathing Space

Debt relief and repayment options in England and Wales

Depending on your circumstances, a debt adviser may discuss options such as:

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

An arrangement to repay non-priority debts through affordable regular payments.

A DMP is generally an informal agreement, so creditors do not have to accept the proposed terms or freeze interest and charges.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO may be suitable for people who meet specific eligibility requirements, including limits on debts, assets and spare income. It can provide relief from qualifying debts after the relevant period, normally 12 months.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal agreement with creditors to repay an agreed amount over a set period. It is arranged through an insolvency practitioner and has legal and financial consequences. It is not suitable for everyone.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy may be an option in some circumstances where debts cannot realistically be repaid. It involves formal restrictions and can affect assets and financial arrangements.

These are not interchangeable options. Get independent advice before entering any formal debt solution.

MoneyHelper: Options for dealing with debt in England and Wales

Debt solutions in Scotland

Scotland has its own debt advice and debt relief arrangements.

Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

The Debt Arrangement Scheme allows eligible people to repay debts through an affordable Debt Payment Programme (DPP).

You make regular payments through a payment distributor, which passes the money to your creditors.

A money adviser submits a proposed programme to the Scottish Government's Accountant in Bankruptcy and your creditors. Formal protection begins when the creditors are notified of the proposal.

While the DPP protection is in place, creditors cannot demand payment directly, take certain enforcement action or add further interest, fees and charges to included debts.

You must continue paying ongoing bills, such as rent, mortgage, Council Tax and current utility bills, separately from the DPP.

If the DPP is approved and you complete it, the included debts are dealt with under the scheme's terms. If it is cancelled, interest, fees and charges that would otherwise have been applied may become payable.

Applications must be made through an approved money adviser.

Find out about Scotland's Debt Arrangement Scheme

Moratorium on diligence

If you're considering a formal debt solution in Scotland, you may be eligible for a moratorium that protects you from certain creditor enforcement actions for up to six months.

It can prevent creditors from taking specified steps to recover debts, such as arresting your bank account or wages.

A moratorium is not a debt solution. It does not write off your debts or stop interest and charges from being added.

You generally cannot apply for another moratorium if you've applied within the previous 12 months. Other eligibility conditions apply, so speak to a money adviser about whether it is appropriate.

Find out about applying for a moratorium in Scotland

9. Where to get free debt advice

You don't have to deal with creditors and arrears on your own.

There are organisations that provide free, confidential and independent debt advice.

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper provides free guidance and a tool for finding debt advisers who can help online, over the phone or face to face.

Find a free debt adviser through MoneyHelper

StepChange

StepChange provides free debt advice and helps people understand different ways of managing and repaying debts.

Visit StepChange

National Debtline

National Debtline provides free, independent debt advice to people in England, Wales and Scotland.

Telephone: 0808 808 4000

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm; Saturday, 9.30am to 1pm.

Visit National Debtline

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice provides guidance on debt, benefits, housing and dealing with creditors.

Visit Citizens Advice

Advice Direct Scotland

People in Scotland can access free, independent advice about debt, budgeting and money worries through Advice Direct Scotland.

Telephone: 0808 800 9060

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Visit Money Advice Scotland through Advice Direct Scotland

Advicelink Cymru

People in Wales can access free, confidential advice about debt, benefits, housing and other financial difficulties.

Telephone: 0800 702 2020

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm; Saturday, 9am to 1pm.

Find financial and debt advice in Wales

10. Watch out for debt and financial assistance scams

People experiencing financial difficulties can be vulnerable to scams promising quick ways to clear debt or access financial help.

Be careful of organisations or individuals who:

Promise to write off all your debts without assessing your circumstances.
Charge large upfront fees before explaining what they will do.
Claim they can guarantee that creditors will accept a settlement.
Pressure you to take out a new loan.
Ask for your bank passwords or security codes.
Offer to transfer money through your account.
Pretend to represent a government department or debt charity.

Be particularly cautious of firms promoting debt solutions without explaining the fees, risks or alternatives.

There are free debt advice organisations available, so you do not need to pay a commercial company simply to understand your options.

Always check the organisation's identity and understand the full terms before signing anything.

What to do next if you're behind on bills

If you're not sure where to start, use these steps to get organised.

Gather your bills and letters. Work out who you owe, how much you owe and whether any deadlines or formal notices have been issued.
Identify priority debts. Consider the consequences of missing each payment, particularly anything affecting your home, essential services or legal position.
Work out your budget. Calculate your income and essential expenses before deciding what you can afford to repay.
Contact your creditors. Explain your circumstances and ask about realistic payment arrangements or other support.
Check benefits and financial assistance. You may be entitled to support that could make your monthly budget more manageable.
Speak to a free debt adviser. Get help choosing the most suitable approach before entering a debt solution or agreeing to significant repayments.

If you have received a court claim, enforcement notice or an eviction notice, seek specialist advice promptly rather than waiting until you've completed every other step.

Find support and explore your options with Monzenta

Being behind on bills can be stressful, but ignoring the problem rarely makes it easier to resolve.

There may be ways to reduce the pressure, agree affordable payments, access additional support or find a debt solution that fits your circumstances.

Monzenta brings together financial guidance and earning opportunities to help you understand the options available.

We don't provide loans, debt management services or direct financial assistance. Our aim is to help you explore relevant information and potential ways to improve your financial situation.

Find your next step.

Need urgent financial support? Explore Emergency Money.
Looking for wider financial guidance? Start with I Need Money.
Want to check your benefit entitlement? Read Universal Credit.
Looking for ways to generate additional income? Explore the Monzenta Planner.

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Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I'm behind on bills?

Start by listing all your outstanding payments and identifying priority debts. Work out what you can realistically afford after essential living costs, contact the organisations you owe and seek free debt advice.

Which bills should I pay first when I have no money?

Prioritise payments that could put your home, essential services or finances at serious risk. These may include rent or mortgage arrears, Council Tax, gas and electricity arrears, court fines and other priority debts. A debt adviser can help you decide which needs attention first.

Can I ask creditors to freeze interest and charges?

You can ask creditors whether they will freeze or reduce interest and charges as part of a repayment arrangement. Whether they agree depends on the creditor and your circumstances. Formal schemes such as Breathing Space in England and Wales provide specific protections for qualifying debts.

Can I set up a payment plan if I can't afford my full bills?

You can contact the organisation you owe and explain what you can realistically afford. Some creditors may agree to smaller payments, additional time or a temporary arrangement. Get the agreement in writing where possible and make sure the amount is affordable.

What happens if I ignore Council Tax arrears?

Your council may take legal recovery action, which can lead to a liability order in England and Wales or a summary warrant in Scotland. Further enforcement can include deductions from earnings or benefits and the use of enforcement agents or sheriff officers.

Can I be evicted if I'm behind on rent?

Yes, rent arrears can lead to possession proceedings. However, landlords must follow the legal process that applies to your tenancy and country. If you're worried about eviction, seek housing advice and contact your local council promptly.

Can my energy supplier disconnect me if I owe money?

There are rules protecting customers, particularly people in vulnerable circumstances. However, energy suppliers may take recovery action in certain circumstances. Contact your supplier as soon as possible to discuss affordable repayments and available support.

Can water companies disconnect my supply if I don't pay?

Household water supplies cannot be disconnected in England and Wales simply because a customer has not paid their bill. Water companies can still pursue unpaid bills through debt recovery and court action. In Scotland, household water and sewerage charges are generally included in the Council Tax bill.

Can I get help with debt if I'm working?

Yes. Free debt advice is available whether you're employed, self-employed, unemployed or receiving benefits. An adviser can help assess your income, essential expenses and possible debt solutions.

What is Breathing Space?

Breathing Space is a government-backed scheme in England and Wales that gives eligible people temporary protection from certain creditor action while they receive debt advice. Standard protection can last up to 60 days. It does not write off debts or remove the need to pay ongoing bills.

Is there a debt relief scheme in Scotland?

Yes. The Debt Arrangement Scheme allows eligible people to repay debts through an affordable Debt Payment Programme. Scotland also has other debt solutions, including protected trust deeds and sequestration. Speak to an approved money adviser to understand which options may be suitable.

Where can I get free debt advice?

You can contact MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice, Advice Direct Scotland or Advicelink Cymru. These organisations can help you understand your rights and decide what to do next.

Does Monzenta help pay off bills or debts?

No. Monzenta is an information and opportunity-planning platform. It does not pay bills, clear debts, provide loans or negotiate with creditors on your behalf.

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